Mum backs our fight after many hospital visits with daughter

MACCLESFIELD mum Lisa Goodwin, 35, of Birchinall Close, knows first hand the benefits of having a maternity, children's and A&E department on her doorstep after her first child, now four, began having convulsions.

MACCLESFIELD mum Lisa Goodwin, 35, of Birchinall Close, knows first hand the benefits of having a maternity, children's and A&E department on her doorstep after her first child, now four, began having convulsions.

Now the residential support worker is firmly behind our campaign which is sending out a clear message that this borough will not tolerate any closures at the local hospital.

Leah was born at Macclesfield Hospital prematurely at 37½ weeks, weighing 7lbs, after a problem-free pregnancy and birth.

But the baby did not have the sucking, swallowing or breathing reflex and experienced breathing difficulties, so within two days was admitted to the special care unit.

Lisa said: "We were constantly backwards and forwards which would have been extremely difficult if the special care baby unit was not there."

Leah was discharged after a couple of weeks, but she also had to be regularly admitted to the children's ward, as at 14 months was found to be suffering from febrile convulsions.

Febrile convulsions are caused by high fevers at a young age when children can't control their body temperature.

"Leah has had seven fits in her little life, one she ended up in intensive care at Pendlebury Children's Hospital and it was touch and go. Leah has fits at home so it is lucky we are two minutes away from a hospital. If we had to go to Stepping Hill or Leighton, I don't know whether she would have made it."

After her seizures, Leah is rushed to A&E, then spends at least three or four days recuperating in the children's ward.

Lisa said: "Her fits come on with no warning, we don't know when they are going to happen, her temperature goes up so quickly her body cannot cope so goes into convulsions. Getting to hospital would be even harder if it was further away."

She has been told by doctors Leah should grow out of the fits by the time she hits five.

Leah is now on open access to the children's ward meaning she goes straight into the unit if she suffers a seizure.

But if they continue Lisa and husband Dean have said they would consider moving if services were cut.

"It's the security of having the hospital there and I think this campaign is fantastic," said Lisa. "I feel so strongly about this because of my own personal experiences. I know lots of other mums are saying the same thing and we want to protest with purpose. Services should not be taken away from Macclesfield, it is a growing town.

"The maternity unit were absolutely fantastic and we can't praise the treatment Leah has received at the hospital as a whole enough.

"We are planning to have another baby next year and would want it to be born at Macclesfield Hospital but I would worry if the special care baby unit was not there and our newborn had the same problems as Leah."

THE determined mothers who mounted a protest outside Macclesfield Hospital over plans to cut services are again on the war path.

First time mums Helen Cornford, 39, Francesca Edwards, 30, and Ripon England, 38, will be positioning themselves in prime spot at the main entrance to the blighted hospital in defiance of the threats to units which served them so well, on Monday, October 24 at 12pm.

And the group, who have attracted a host of other rattled mums, now even have their own name - MACC - which stands for Mums Against Closure Campaign.

Helen Cornford said: "The stand-in is open to anyone wanting to join the protest. It is about raising awareness, if we lose our services this puts pressure on other area's health services which will have to cope with our demand.

"The maternity unit at Macclesfield is busy, it does not seem feasible to close it. Bring teddy bears and children if you have them, it does not matter if you don't, just show support."